Page 65 of Captivated By You

She wasn’t dripping in diamonds or dressed head to toe in designer clothes. She looked… normal.

“Asher, I’m so glad you could come for the entire weekend.”

Kisses were exchanged, and then her eyes turned to me. Topaz eyes just like Ash’s.

“And you must be Kiana.” She hugged me, too, and kissed me on the cheek, then held my hands and stepped back. “Well, aren’t you a picture? I can see why my son is so smitten.”

Blood rushed to my face, heating my cheeks. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Kingcaid,” I mumbled.

“Marie, please. You’re practically family.”

With one arm around Asher’s waist and the other around mine, she led us into the house, and…

Oh. My. God.

Decked out with a black-and-white checkered floor, the hallway reminded me of a giant chessboard, yet worked beautifully with the wrought-iron winding staircase that led up to the next floor. The walls were painted white, huge splashes of art providing the color.

She urged us into a sitting room with an oak floor mostly covered with a patterned rug. Centered around a smoked glass coffee table were three gray couches, and a grand piano nestled in the corner.

I’d been wrong about size making a room cold. This place oozed warmth.

Along one wall were several sets of glass doors framed in wood that opened out onto an enormous grassy lawn. The entire area was flooded with light, revealing borders of evergreen shrubs dotted with showy winter flowers. The lawn fell away, and I could just about make out the vast expanse of water beyond.

“You have a beautiful home, Mrs.… I mean, Marie.”

She gave my waist a final squeeze, then released me into Asher’s arms.

“Thank you. It’s far too big now that it’s just me and Joshua living here, but I can’t quite give it up. It has all my memories of the children growing up, and I can’t imagine living somewhere they haven’t.”

“Mom, keep the soppiness for the third glass of wine, yeah?” Ash grinned at her.

“I’m not sure I’ll manage it, darling. I’m feeling rather nostalgic this weekend.” She gestured for me to sit. “I have no idea where your father has gotten to. I told him what time you were arriving.”

“Check his study.” Ash joined me on the couch. “My father is a workaholic,” he added for my benefit.

I nudged him. “Takes one to know one.”

“Thank you, Kiana,” Marie exclaimed. “I tell my son that all the time.”

Ash rolled his eyes. “What time are the others arriving?”

“Penn’s flight doesn’t get in until late, and Johannes is arriving tomorrow, as is everyone else, so it’s just the four of us this evening.”

“That wouldn’t be by design, would it, Mom?”

“Would I?” Her lips lifted in the merest of smiles. “I’ll go find your father. Asher, get Kiana a drink.”

She bustled off, and I turned my eyes to Ash. “Oh God. I’m getting a grilling, aren’t I?”

He chuckled. “I’m sure there will be a few questions dotted here and there, but only because they want to get to know you.” Kissing my temple, he pulled me to him.

“They are going to adore you. Just like I do.”

* * *

Bragging time.

The dinner went swimmingly. Asher and his father were so alike, giving me a glimpse into the kind of man he’d grow into as he aged.

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